Home Office

Appointment of Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

baroness williams of trafford: My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber Rudd) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Max Hill QC as the new Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.Mr Hill has been a QC for nine years and has extensive experience both defending and prosecuting complex cases involving terrorism, homicide, violent crime, high value fraud and corporate crime. He successfully prosecuted the 21/7 bombers, and he appeared in the inquest into the 7/7 bombings. He also sits as a Recorder at the Old Bailey.Mr Hill will take up this role from 1 March 2017. He takes over from David Anderson QC, who has served as Independent Reviewer with great distinction since 2011, and to whom I am extremely grateful for the significant contribution he has made.


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Department for Work and Pensions

Defined Benefit Occupational Pension Schemes

lord henley: My honourable Friend Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions Richard Harrington MP has made the following Written Statement.Today the Government is publishing a Green Paper “Security and Sustainability in Defined Benefit Pension Schemes”. This paper also forms part of the Government response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report into Defined Benefit Pension Schemes. I would like to thank the Committee for its report.Defined Benefit schemes are an important pillar of the UK economy and our pensions system. In order to generate the funds needed to pay the pensions of retired workers, around £1.5 trillion is invested by nearly 6,000 schemes. The Government is committed to a system that works for employers, schemes and the 11 million people who are in a Defined Benefit scheme.While the Government does not believe that there is any systemic issues within the sector, it is clear that experiences differ from scheme to scheme. The Government recognises that recent years have been particularly challenging for some employers providing Defined Benefit pensions and the trustees responsible for running these schemes.The Green Paper looks at a range of issues that have been raised by various stakeholders, for example, whether the Pensions Regulator’s powers should be extended to improve member protection. It focuses on four key areas – funding and investment, scheme affordability, member protection and consolidation, so that we can start to build consensus on whether we may want to reform the current system.The paper relates only to private sector Defined Benefit schemes and is not concerned with other types of pension provision, such as public service pension schemes or Defined Contribution schemes.The Government wants to hear from all those with an interest in defined benefit schemes, in particular from scheme members themselves. The consultation will close on 14 May 2017.


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign Affairs Council (6 February 2017)

baroness anelay of st johns: My right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan), has made the following written Ministerial statement:My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 February. The Foreign Affairs Council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. The meeting was held in Brussels.Foreign Affairs CouncilA provisional report of the meeting and Conclusions adopted can be found at:http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2017/02/06/Agenda items included Libya, Ukraine, Egypt and the Middle East Peace Process. Ms Mogherini briefed Foreign Ministers on the Serbia/Kosovo dialogue and on planning for a conference on Syria to be held in Brussels in the spring.LibyaThe Council discussed the situation in Libya and adopted Conclusions. The EU remains committed to an inclusive political settlement under the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement, with Libyan ownership of the political process and encouragement to all Libyan actors to engage constructively. There can be no military solution to the conflict. The EU reaffirmed its continued support for the UN Support Mission in Libya and welcomed engagement by Libya’s neighbours and regional organisations. Ministers also discussed the need to stem irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route.UkraineForeign Ministers discussed the recent escalation in violence in eastern Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian situation around the town of Avdiivka. They also discussed how the EU could increase support for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements. Ministers agreed on the need for continued strong support for Ukraine’s reform agenda, which is crucial to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience, and welcomed the progress Ukraine has made on reform to date.EgyptForeign Ministers discussed the economic and political challenges facing Egypt, including the human rights situation, and agreed on the need for closer cooperation on these issues. Ministers also agreed that working more closely with Egypt on regional issues is a priority, given Egypt’s status as a strategic partner in countering terrorism and tackling illegal migration.MEPPForeign Ministers discussed issues relating to the Middle East Peace Process. The Council discussed possible timing for the next EU-Israel Association Council and agreed to revert to the issue. Member States expressed concern about the increase in Israel’s settlement building and the new settlement legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset.Ministers agreed without discussion a number of measures:The Council updated the information related to twenty-one persons and one entity subject to restrictive measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The Council took note of the annual progress report on the implementation of the European Union strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).The Council took note of the annual report on the implementation of the European Union strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition – Actions in 2015.The Council approved the conclusion of an agreement aimed at continuing the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC).


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